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As exciting as the recent rumors of Apple's renewed interest in TV design may be, some people are ready for smart(er) TV's today. In a continuation of our Living Room Video Coverage, we take a look at the WISE TIVI Vision which brings the Android OS to your TV. It is a relatively simple matter to get your TV to mirror your iOS or Android device, but it is a temporary solution. A real smart(er) TV should have permanent computing capabilities. In other words, it would be nice if our TVs simply ran the same operating systems we are currently using on our tablets and devices.

Android lovers are in luck, as the WISE TIVI Vision does just that, adding full Android 4.2 OS capabilities, and a set top camera to your TV for $90 (significantly cheaper than similar living room VC solutions). Your TV probably isn't touch sensitive, so you may be wondering how this works. WISE conveniently sells an integrated wireless keyboard, "airmouse" and a gamepad, which we expect brings its pricing back up into competitive range. For videoconferencing, interoperability isn't a concern as there is no proprietary video protocols in use. You don't make a WISE video call, you use whatever Android VC app you prefer, be it Skype, Google Hangouts, or even a paid client.

We particularly like the videoconferencing focus of this product. While there are endless applications for having an Android OS on your TV, the real no-brainers is living room videoconferencing. It may not necessarily be business class telepresence, but a free Google Hangout in the living room provides a surprisingly pleasing consumer level experience.

"When I go into my living room and turn on the TV, I feel like I have gone backwards in time by 20 to 30 years. It's an area of intense interest. I can't say more than that." - Apple CEO, Tim Cook

There is certainly a lot of potential to upgrade the living room media experience and videoconferencing should be a big part of that story. At this point, one can't even begin to guess as to which approach will really take hold. But one way or another, I expect this type of home VC to continue to become less of a novelty.

About the AuthorDavid Maldow, Esq. is a visual collaboration technologist and analyst with the Human Productivity Lab and an associate editor at Telepresence Options. David has extensive expertise in testing, evaluating, and explaining telepresence and other visual collaboration / rich media solutions. David is focused on providing third-party independent analysis and opinion of these technologies and helping end users better secure their telepresence, videoconferencing, and visual collaboration environments. You can follow David on Twitter and Google+.

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As exciting as the recent rumors of Apple's renewed interest in TV design may be, some people are ready for smart(er) TV's today. In a continuation of our Living Room Video Coverage, we take a look at the WISE TIVI Vision which brings the Android OS to your TV. It is a relatively simple matter to get your TV to mirror your iOS or Android device, but it is a temporary solution. A real smart(er) TV should have permanent computing capabilities. In other words, it would be nice if our TVs simply ran the same operating systems we are currently using on our tablets and devices.

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Android lovers are in luck, as the WISE TIVI Vision does just that, adding full Android 4.2 OS capabilities, and a set top camera to your TV for \$90 (significantly cheaper than similar living room VC solutions). Your TV probably isn't touch sensitive, so you may be wondering how this works. WISE conveniently sells an integrated wireless keyboard, \"airmouse\" and a gamepad, which we expect brings its pricing back up into competitive range. For videoconferencing, interoperability isn't a concern as there is no proprietary video protocols in use. You don't make a WISE video call, you use whatever Android VC app you prefer, be it Skype, Google Hangouts, or even a paid client.

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We particularly like the videoconferencing focus of this product. While there are endless applications for having an Android OS on your TV, the real no-brainers is living room videoconferencing. It may not necessarily be business class telepresence, but a free Google Hangout in the living room provides a surprisingly pleasing consumer level experience.

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\"When I go into my living room and turn on the TV, I feel like I have gone backwards in time by 20 to 30 years. It's an area of intense interest. I can't say more than that.\" - Apple CEO, Tim Cook

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There is certainly a lot of potential to upgrade the living room media experience and videoconferencing should be a big part of that story. At this point, one can't even begin to guess as to which approach will really take hold. But one way or another, I expect this type of home VC to continue to become less of a novelty.

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About the AuthorDavid Maldow, Esq. is a visual collaboration technologist and analyst with the Human Productivity Lab and an associate editor at Telepresence Options. David has extensive expertise in testing, evaluating, and explaining telepresence and other visual collaboration / rich media solutions. David is focused on providing third-party independent analysis and opinion of these technologies and helping end users better secure their telepresence, videoconferencing, and visual collaboration environments. You can follow David on Twitter and Google+.